Nevada to join study on solitary confinement in prisons

by News 4-Fox 11 Digital Staff

Cropped Photo: Tim Pearce / CC BY 2.0

CARSON CITY, Nev. (News 4 & Fox 11) —

Nevada's Department of Corrections will take part in a study starting next year that aims to reduce the use of solitary confinement, also referred to as segregation, according to a statement from the agency.

NDOC will be one of five states to take part in the Vera Institute's Safe Alternatives to Segregation Initiative, a 21-month partnership that will begin in early 2017.

Vera would work with department staff to assess how they use solitary confinement and develop alternatives, spokeswoman Brooke Keast said in a statement.

“With Vera’s assistance, Nevada will be better equipped to both reduce reliance on segregation and improve the way it is used, with the goal of preparing inmates for success when they return to our communities,” NDOC Director James Dzurenda said in a statement.

Utah, Louisiana, Minnesota and Virginia will also take part, with each state providing a match of up to $50,000. The program is also supported by a $2.2 million grant from the U.S. Justice Department to the Vera Institute.

The first report on findings and recommendations is expected to be released by the fall of 2017.